Typically, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
